Reviewed by Tim Holden

Phil Lewis is a singer/songwriter from South Wales who'd previously worked with acoustic rock/pop team Full Circle. 'Demographic' is a collection of six of his own songs showcasing his song writing talent. The vocals are very reminiscent of Michael W Smith at his best and, as is becoming of a singer/songwriter, they fit the songs wonderfully, the arrangements being full without being too busy. The opening song, "Tumbling Down", has bouncy 70s keyboard sound with a strange intro made from repeated single syllable samples. "So Beautiful" is a rare jewel in the music industry, especially the Christian part of it, as it is haunting love song with a tasteful keyboard accompaniment and not a mention of sex anywhere. The final song, "A Million Dollars", is a witty commentary on the futility of chasing wealth and money and it does not pull any punches. "Hollywood is a lie, not a lifestyle/That vision of your Utopia has died/The lottery is not a dream, it's a nightmare/Where the beast has found you in his lair." All in all enjoyable listening, quite an achievement on a low budget recording, and one I will recommend to anyone, though it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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